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Thursday, February 22, 2007

Chicago architects oral history project

For the past 20 years, the Art Institute of Chicago has been recording the life experiences of architects who shaped the city and beyond, in an initiative that spans the 20th century. The resulting collection of oral histories goes beyond the facts to explore motivations and influences, behind-the-scenes stories, and personal reflections from some of the great names of American architecture. Included in the collection are Skidmore, Owings & Merrill partners and associates, students and colleagues of Mies van der Rohe, members of the Chicago Seven, principals of second- and third-generation architectural and engineering firms, and architects who 'defy classification'. The interviews are available in the form of written transcripts which can be downloaded as pdf files; hopefully the Art Institute may one day be able to make them available as audio files so that the architects can be heard in their own words.